Chief Magistrate Daphine Ayebare, has been elected the new president of the Uganda Judicial Officers Association (UJOA), taking over leadership of one of the country’s most influential judicial professional bodies at a time when the Judiciary faces mounting pressure over integrity, welfare and access to justice.
Ayebare was elected during the UJOA Annual General Meeting held at the Supreme Court in Kampala , where judicial officers from across the country gathered under the theme “Professional Excellence, Unity and Compassion.”
Her election marks another significant moment for women in Uganda’s Judiciary, coming just two years after High Court Judge Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya became the association’s first female president in 2024.
Before ascending to the top UJOA position, Ayebare served as the association’s vice president, working closely with Justice Kazaarwe in championing judicial officers’ welfare, institutional unity and professional standards within the Judiciary.
Known within legal circles as a disciplined and experienced judicial officer, Ayebare has served in Uganda’s judiciary for several years, handling criminal and civil matters while also participating in administrative and judicial reform discussions affecting lower courts.
Her leadership now places her at the centre of ongoing debates surrounding Uganda’s justice system, including concerns over case backlog, limited funding for courts, delayed justice, and allegations of corruption involving some judicial officers.
Speaking during the meeting, Principal Judge Dr. Jane Frances Abodo, who represented Chief Justice Flavian Zeija, urged judicial officers to maintain integrity and resist external influence while executing their duties.
Abodo emphasized the need for professionalism, fairness and compassion in the administration of justice, saying public trust in the Judiciary depends heavily on the conduct of judicial officers.
“The Judiciary must remain independent, professional and people-centred,” she told delegates during the gathering.
Ayebare, in her acceptance remarks, pledged to strengthen unity among judicial officers and continue advocating for better welfare and improved working conditions for magistrates and registrars across the country.
She also promised to deepen engagement between UJOA leadership and Judiciary administrators in addressing challenges affecting the justice sector.
Chief Magistrate Conrad Obol Oroya was elected vice president during the same meeting.
The Uganda Judicial Officers Association serves as the umbrella body representing judicial officers including magistrates, registrars and other court officials. The association plays a central role in advocating for members’ welfare, professional development and reforms aimed at strengthening Uganda’s justice system.
Ayebare’s election comes at a critical time for Uganda’s Judiciary as the institution seeks to rebuild public confidence amid increasing scrutiny from citizens, civil society and legal observers over efficiency and accountability in the courts.
